Pjila'si - Welcome to Mawita'mk

Our Mission

Mawita'mk ('Being Together') is a volunteer Mi'kmaq Charitable Society. We value and support the gifts of people with disabilities and our youth. We strive to see that they receive services and supports within their cultural community.

Mawita’mk Society is a registered charitable society that promotes volunteerism within First Nation communities and celebrates the gifts of aboriginal people with disabilities.

Since 1986 we have been working together as volunteers to provide community based options for Mi’kmaq people with disabilities. In 2001, Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy, Margaret Poulette and Tom Gunn created a not-for-profit Mi’kmaq Organization called Mawitam’k (Being Together).

The Grand Chief and Elders were concerned that aboriginal people who needed community based supports had to leave their cultural community to access services. This added to their disability and increased their sense of isolation. A community of volunteers, support staff, members, partners, family and friends have enabled the dream to have real homes and real jobs for Mi'kmaq people with disabilities to grow.

In April 2007, Ni’kinen House (Our House) was opened in Waycobah First Nation, the first community group home on a Reserve in Canada.

In 2006 we were able to reach an agreement with the Federal Government to construct a community home and supported apartments for Mi’kmaq people with disabilities in We’koqma’q.

We are proud to be a non-political, charitable society that promotes volunteerism and good governance. We are funded through Indian Affairs and other donations and licensed and inspected by the Province of Nova Scotia.

We have developed four supervised/assisted living apartments for persons with disabilities and/or mental health concerns. We can provide community living options for up to 5 people in the supported apartments.

There is a beautiful Mi’kmaq custom called A’pit’sek’tu’waken (making peace) that frees up a loved one to make the final passage. Join a group of elders for a day of reflection and sharing on the value of making peace and the importance of honoring our loved ones on April 26, 2017.

Former Mawita’mk Society Board Member was sworn in to Parliament in December 2016. Senator Dan is the first Mi’kmaq person to be appointed to Canada’s Parliament. Norma Gould, president of the Mawita’mk Society presented Senator Dan with the beaded Eagle Feather he is holding in this picture, taken when he was inducted into the Senate.